by Allison Vaughn

On March 7, several members of CAS traveled to the Lodge of the Four Seasons for the Conservation Federation of Missouri’s Annual Convention to receive the Conservation Organization of the Year Award. President Lottie Bushmann gave a charming accceptance speech that left the audience laughing at one of her stories about a classroom situation of a dead bat the janitor had found and put in a container. The bat “came alive” when maggots came pouring out of the body, making it seem like the bat was coming back to life to the students. The night was otherwise pretty somber with notes of federal conservationists’ firings, including the forced retirement of a Mark Twain NF employee who won Professional Conservationist of the Year that night. But Lottie’s acceptance speech was a hit. Lovely appetizers, a great setting, and a reserved table for CAS members! In attendance were Lottie, Bill and Jan Mees, Treasurer Eric Seaman, Lori Turner, and myself.